Side Dishes
- Peter K F Cheung SBS
- May 10, 2023
- 2 min read
FADE IN
Act 1
EXT. NEW TOWN PLAZA - 16:00
Dressed in black, PETER is walking past a shade.
PETER (V.O.): Just after lunch, I met my entrepreneurial friend by chance.
Recalling.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I was so happy to hear about his IP project making use of Hong Kong as a hub.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I was proud to tell him that I was the legal architect of the Hong Kong law on "Layout-design (Topography) of Integrated Circuit (IC)".
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I accomplished the legislative mission in 1994, but it's impact on Hong Kong hasn't been visible and tangible.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): If Patents, Copyright, Designs and Trademarks are main courses, IC is just a side dish.
Act 2
FLASHBACK
INT. JAPANESE RESTAURANT - 12:30 (Earlier)
Peter sees CUSTOMERS waiting near the entrance.
PETER (V.O.): I believe it should be good.
Soon, Peter is seated at a bar table.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It's easy to get a place if one is flexible.
Having scanned a QR code, Peter reads the menu on his smartphone screen.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): For the main course, I usually order fish or shrimps.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Let me try the tempura set lunch then.
Having selected his main choice, Peter reads further.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Oh, the set includes Chawanmushi, Udon...and I can choose a bowl of sushi rice too.
Soon, Peter is first served with Chawanmushi. He begins to eat.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): On par with those make by my wife.
Then, a bowl of Udon.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): It can't be as good as the Sanuki udon that my wife and I tried in Kagawa Prefecture last March.
Then, a plate of tempura.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Well, both the food quality and the cooking are excellent.
When a bowl of Sushi rice is served, Peter hesitates.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I'm quite full...
Then, we hear CUSTOMERS#1 & #2 sitting nearby chatting.
CUSTOMERS#1 & #2: Just eat the fish, forget about the rice.
Peter takes a look of them.
PETER (V.O.): Too much on the plate even for these two young men.
Thinking.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Can't people reverse their psychology by making side dishes as the main course?
RETURN TO PRESENT
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Working in retirement, I've been in private practice for over five years.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): I've proved to myself that I still have some residual value professionally.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): However, my experience can't be compared to those who take private practice as their career.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): And I find my volunteering work and creative endeavours more interesting.
Reflecting.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): What has happened to my vision?
Act 3
EXT. NEW TOWN PLAZA - CONTINUOUS
Having walked past the shade, Peter follows the sun.
PETER (V.O.): As my golden years are diminishing, I'd better reflect on my way forward.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): What's on my plate has to have a better balance.
Pausing.
PETER (V.O.) (Cont'd): Main course aside, I'll also make my side dishes more enjoyable.
Peter checks an image on his phone screen.
FADE OUT
THE END
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